VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG · model year

2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG

35 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2014VOLKSWAGENTOUAREG carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 3 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2014 TOUAREG is steering with 8 filings, followed by engine (6) and suspension (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2014 TOUAREG, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

35
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

35 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING8
ENGINE6
SUSPENSION3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
AIR BAGS2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
POWER TRAIN1
WHEELS1
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SEATS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SEAT HEATER:MAT1

Recalls (2)

16V17000024/03/2016

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Touareg vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a securing clip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.

18V32900016/05/2018

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period ma

Recent Complaints

20240124AIR BAGS

The safety computer which checks the different sensors and reports their condition on the i instrument dash indicated air bag sensor failure, This automobile has not been in any accident.. A rear seat belt came apart. The top plastic locking system came apart from the metal part of the locking system, Making the seat belt not useable . The sear belt was not used very much, since we are retired sad my wife does all the driving/ Ergo the rear seat is not use very often. The VW dealer does not believe this type of failure is a future safety condition. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20240124SEAT BELTS

The safety computer which checks the different sensors and reports their condition on the i instrument dash indicated air bag sensor failure, This automobile has not been in any accident.. A rear seat belt came apart. The top plastic locking system came apart from the metal part of the locking system, Making the seat belt not useable . The sear belt was not used very much, since we are retired sad my wife does all the driving/ Ergo the rear seat is not use very often. The VW dealer does not believe this type of failure is a future safety condition. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20220324ENGINE

Wet Air intake filter. Clearly showed water damage and rot on the air filter. This is a repeated issue.

20211020FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle and smoke was seen coming from the front console. After stopping the vehicle to inspect the cause it was discovered that the front passenger side seat heater had malfunctioned burning a hole into the seat and the passenger's pants. During the incident, the passenger sustained a burn to the left thigh area. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 128,000.

Mileage: 128,000

20211020FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SEAT HEATER:MAT

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle and smoke was seen coming from the front console. After stopping the vehicle to inspect the cause it was discovered that the front passenger side seat heater had malfunctioned burning a hole into the seat and the passenger's pants. During the incident, the passenger sustained a burn to the left thigh area. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 128,000.

Mileage: 128,000

20210814SEATS

Vehicle has 72000 miles on it, Driver seat heater burned a hole on the leather, burning my pants, underwear and skin while I was driving. I had to pull over because smoke started to come out of the seat. VW of Fort Myers checked it out and confirmed the heater was bad, but they said they don't make the replacement part anymore. No warning lights came on.

20210805FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I attempted to start the vehicle and the starter button clicked followed by a strong ozone electrical smell and copious smoke from under the hood. We called the local fire department but canceled the call as the smoke seemed to be clearing. VW dealer says the starter, alternator, battery and two wiring harnesses need to be replaced. Full details pending as they are still working on it but estimate cost of nearly $4000. This is a serious concern and was transporting my 92 year old Mom. Fortunately the burning stopped on its own. Please contact Wyoming Valley VW at 272-770-2997 for details.

20210627ENGINE

After recently purchasing this vehicle I noticed the car be long more and more sluggish. While driving one morning I experienced loss in power and an flashing check engine light and glow plug light on the dash. The car went into “limp” mode and I could not accelerate past 40 MPG on a busy road. I pulled over slowly and let the car sit. After turning the car on off and back on, the CEL went away . I attempted to pull out into traffic and with my foot to the floor, the car has no acceleration leaving me going extremely slow into traffic. The cars acceleration has been terrible and really not safe to drive. I have several CEL codes including P0402. After having the car inspected we found that the intake filter had Completely deteriorated at the bottom. Almost as if water had been sitting in the bottom of the air filter box. After removing the old filter and replacing it with a new one, we also cleaned the mass airflow sensor, unplugged it and plugged it back in. This did help the

20201229ENGINE

KEEP GETTING WATER IN MY AIR FILTER BOX, SOAKING THE AIR FILTER. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY REMOVED SOME PART IN THE DRAIN. DOESNT SEEM LIKE A FIX TO ME

Mileage: 75,000

20201109ENGINE

ENGINE AIR FILTER AND HOUSING ARE WET, THIS IS AN ONGOING EVENT. I REMEDY IT BUY BUYING A NEW FILTER, DRYING OUT THE HOUSING AND REPLACING THE WET FILTER. I AM AFRAID AT SOME POINT THE WATER WILL ENTER THE ENGINE CAUSING DAMAGE AND PERHAPS AN ACCIDENT IF THE CAR STALLS.

20190604ENGINE

WHEN DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AT THE SERVICE CENTER AT THE DEALER, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE AIR FILTER HAD BECOME WET WITH WATER. WHILE READING A VW FORUM I BECAME AWARE OF A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE AIR FILTER HOUSING DRAIN BECOMING CLOGGED AND THE AIR FILTER BECOMING WET AND WATER BEING INGESTED INTO THE ENGINE, HYDROLOCKING THE ENGINE AND REQUIRING THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW ENGINE. THE SERVICE ONLY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE MAF SENSOR. EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN OWNED FOR LESS THAN 8 MONTHS IS UNDER WARRANTY, I HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS (~$650). I AM NOW HESITANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT ALL. AS THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS WITH THIS VEHICLE I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL IN PLACE.

Mileage: 39,800

20190129VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000. *TT*JB

Mileage: 132,000

20180811UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ON AUGUST 10, 2018 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 PM IN BOUNTIFUL UTAH, I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A BUSINESS. I STOPPED ON A STEEP HILL AND ALLOWED THE ON COMING TRAFFIC TO PASS. IT THEN BECAME SAFE FOR ME TO COMPLETE MY TURN. THAT IS UNTIL THE CAR HESITATED YET AGAIN. THIS HESITATION PROBLEM IS SEVERE POST REPAIR OF VW DUE TO EMISSIONS RECALL. FORTUNATELY THE ONCOMING DRIVER SLOWED DOWN ALLOWING ME TO ENTER THE BUSINESS; HOWEVER, THIS HESITATION IS BEYOND DANGEROUS. I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH THE LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP AND THE REGIONAL OFFICE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ADVERSELY IMPACTED BY THIS RECALL!

Mileage: 56,700

20180802ENGINE

VW 3.0 LITER DEISEL ENGINE WITH RECALL ISSUE DUE TO FRAUD BY VW. VW APPLIED THE FIX TO THE ENGINE AS APPROVED BY THE COURT. THIS FIX HAS CREATED A SITUATION WHERE THE CAR HAS SIGNIFICANT HESITATION ON TAKE OFF AND IN TRAFFIC MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFELY ENTER THE STREAM OF TRAFFIC OR CROSS TRAFFIC AT INTERSECTIONS. THIS IS A REPETITIVE SITUATION OCCURRING BOTH AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND AT INTERCITY SPEEDS. VW ACKNOWLEDGES THE SITUATION BUT REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM BEGAN IMMEDIATELY AFTER RECALL COMPLETION TO MAKE VEHICLE COMPLIANT WITH FEDERAL LAW. CAR WAS RETURNED WITHIN THE WEEK TO VW AND HAS BEEN RETURNED ADDITIONAL TIMES TO RESOLVE ISSUE. VW SERVICE REPORTS NO WAY TO SOLVE THE ISSUE.

Mileage: 56,000

20180328STEERING

STRONG VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL (&NOISE) WHILE DRIVING WHEN MAKING TURNS. THIS IS SPORADIC AND HAPPENS WHETHER TURNING STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. TRAVELING AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN LEAVIN MY DRIVEWAY, ON PAVED ROADS, CITY STREETS... I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DATE THIS STARTED BUT IT STARTED IN THE LAST 30 DAYS

Mileage: 6

20170830UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONING OF THE CAR IT COMES A VERY STRONG SMELL OF ENGINE FUMES IN THE CABIN. IT DOES GIVE US HEADACHE EVERY TIME WE BREATH IT IN. I DO HAVE A SMALL CHILD IN THE CAR SO THAT MAKES IT WORSE. EVERY TIME I GIVE IT FOR INSPECTION IN THE VW DEALERSHIP THEY REFUSE TO SMELL IT AND DENY THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM.

20170201ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VEHICLE TURNS OFF SPONTANEOUSLY IN MOTION WITH NO WARNING AND UNPREDICTABLY. HAS BEEN ON A CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR IDENTIFIED. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCASSIONS HOWEVER CAN NOT BE DIAGNOSED BY THE CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER.

Mileage: 32,000

20160517TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TIRE PRESSURE DECREASED AND THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. DUE TO THE READ OUT, ADDITIONAL AIR WAS CONSTANTLY ADDED TO THE TIRES. ALL THE TIRES WERE AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

Mileage: 48,000

20160516CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

Mileage: 33,000

20160413STEERING

THE CARS' STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT 60MPH+ EVEN AFTER FOLLOWING VOLKSWAGENS' SERVICE BULLETINS, NEW TIRES, ALIGNMENT, ROADFORCE BALANCE, ETC. THE VIBRATION IS FELT THROUGHOUT THE FRONT END OF THE CAR.

Mileage: 5

Compare 2014VOLKSWAGENTOUAREG to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG have?
The 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG has 35 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG?
The 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG?
Yes, the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG?
The most-complained component for the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG is STEERING with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and SUSPENSION.
Is the 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.